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| Fused-Lens Microscope | Click on any image for a larger view. Scroll to view more items. |
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HENRY CRAIG'S PATENTED AMERICAN MICROSCOPE, WITH ORIGINAL FUSED LENS, c. 1870, signed around the lens "Craigıs Lens, Pat'd Feb'y. 18, 1862." This 5" (13 cm) tall microscope is made of thin sheet brass, with vertical design and articulated plane mirror. A gutta percha cell holds the special tiny lens, with its domed top and plane base. Condition is fine noting spotting to the original lacquer finish on the brass. The instrument is in good working order. In 1862 Craig received patent #34,409 for his simple microscope comprising a high power lens mounted just above the specimen slide slot, atop a vertical cylinder housing an adjustable mirror. A key feature of his patent was the lens, made with a globule of flint glass fused to a plate of crown glass. The focal point was at the bottom of the crown plate itself, which would be in direct contact with the specimen on slider, or fluid droplet specimen. No focus adjustment was necessary! Craig's invention has been described by Bell (Rittenhouse 8, 73-77), who writes: "The first inexpensive American microscope was that patented in 1862 by Henry Craig of Cleveland, Ohio, one of the many self-taught inventors who flourished in 19th-century America. In 1861-62 Craig was working as a janitor in the Western Homeopathic College and living at the school. In 1863-64 he was 'Manufacturer of the Craig microscope.'" It was produced in various forms in various materials, but all are rare. The present example is compete with the original blue card case bearing illustrative instructions, noting a bit of scuffing and the case top lacking. (8072) $1250. |
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| Rugged Pocket Microscope | Click on any image for a larger view. Scroll to view more items. |
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THE "TAMI" FIELD MICROSCOPE BY HENSOLDT, German, second quarter 20th century, signed "Hensoldt, Wetzlar, #7507" and "Tami" (an abbreviation for "taschenmikroscop" -- pocket microscope) and "D.R.P.a" (i.e., "Deutsches Reichs Patent angemeldet"). Finely constructed of sturdy brass, with black enamel and bright plating finishes, the microscope opens from 4" to 8-1/4" (10 - 21 cm) by twin calibrated (40 - 110) drawtubes and knurled tube screw focus. It is equipped with ocular, separable achromatic objective, glass stage, stage clips, rotatable and removable inclined concave mirror, and conical protective cover, all in fine functional condition. Introduced in 1920, the Tami was a successful, high quality instrument sufficiently indestructible for extensive use in the field. Using the two-stage telescoping tubes, and objective front lens removal, one can realize a total magnification range of 35x to 225x! (7099) $425. |
| Rare Ohio Microscope | Click on any image for a larger view. Scroll to view more items. |
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American, c.1875, signed on the main tube, "L.M. Prince, Maker, Cincinnati, O." This remarkable American stand (13" tall minimum) has unique design features throughout. The massive three-lobed cast iron base supports the all brass assembly of thick stage plate, curiously shaped rather graceful limb, and main tube driven by exceedingly finely spaced teeth on the steel rackwork and pinion gear (possibly in lieu of separate fine focus control). It is equipped with one ocular, triple-button objective, slide-around slide carrier, substage wheel of stops, and substage mirror in a simple mounting. Condition is good noting losses to the enamel, and one stage slider clip missing. The original finely grained wood case is good, and came with an early handwritten prescription from the office of Cincinnati doctors Holmes, Hinnen, and Stanbery. |
| The maker was Louis M. Prince (1850-1918) unknown to Padgitt and not represented in the Billings collection. Smart records a surveyor's vernier compass by him, and working dates for "L.M. Prince Co." of 1872-1912. A most innovative American microscope, and a very rare find. (5139) $2950. | 
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| A Beautiful Portable Microscope Outfit | Click on any image for a larger view. Scroll to view more items. |
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EXQUISITE SIMPLE MICROSCOPE OUTFIT, Continental, c. early 19th century. The fine slightly-domed fitted wood case is bound in brown leather, with gilt-stamped decorative borders, and lined in green velvet. It measures 6-1/4" x 4-1/4" x 1-5/8" (16 x 11 x 4 cm), and contains a splendid outfit in clear lacquered brass. With folding legs, tapered pillar, compass joint and triangular limb somewhat like a miniature Jones Most Improved stand, the microscope has racked stage with removable spring plate, swiveling and sliding lens holder, and gimbaled convex mirror. There are two interchangeable high power lenses with blackened eye surrounds. An alternate sliding lens arm supports a wide-field low-power lens, separately or in combination with a button objective. And an unusual perhaps original accessory has a ring mount with an adjustable steel spike. The outfit is completed by several octagonal and linear bone specimen mounts. Condition is excellent throughout; a couple of minor accessories may be lacking, but basically it is a superb outfit in remarkable condition. (8084) $3950. |
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